LA’s swankiest theater just announced its February theme: Ooh La La.
But what does “Ooh La La” mean? And what is Brain Dead Studios? We got you covered. In October 2020, frustrated with the pandemic forcing small theaters out of business, Brain Dead streetwear co-founder Kyle Ng turned Fairfax’s historic Silent Movie Theater site into a creative and experimental space.
Brain Dead Studios is more than just a clothing brand—it features a patio cafe and outdoor lounge, a green room and, of course, the cinema. With his profits from the streetwear, Ng revamped the theater space to “celebrate the weird, wonderful, and unsung.” Brain Dead is an eccentric hub of culture nestled in the heart of Fairfax and the perfect sanctuary for LA’s quirkiest individuals.
The green room, located in the upstairs area of the space, showcases the latest Brain Dead apparel and items from clothing to records. Everything is sourced from both Brain Dead’s own collection and local artisans. The outdoor restaurant, SLAMMERS, serves a unique blend of cuisines from around the world, with all-day coffee and lunch and dinner—the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat before a movie. Which brings us to the cinema! Commemorating its origin as an arthouse repertory theater, the cinema’s retro decor and cozy atmosphere make Brain Dead the perfect place to discover new films and rewatch old favorites.
The theater exhibits a wide variety of movies, ranging from early twentieth-century silent films to contemporary works. The films come from across the globe and in all varieties of genres. There are typically a few box-office hits shown each month, along with numerous movies you’ve likely never heard of. The Brain Dead experience calls for buying tickets to your all-time favs while discovering incredible films that might have otherwise flown under your radar.
Each month, Brain Dead Studios presents a different theme or subject to which all the films adhere to. In April of 2022, for example, the theme was With Friends Like These. Some of the films presented, like Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro, illustrated this theme spot-on. Others, like Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs, were a bit trickier, and a bit more morbid, to place. Part of the fun to be had at Brain Dead is figuring out how the nuances of each film fit into its specific theme.
The theme this February, Ooh La La, brings sex, romance and Valentine’s Day magic (and mayhem) to the screen. Critically acclaimed films to see include the French Betty Blue, Disney’s Lady and the Tramp, the Coen brothers’ Blood Simple and more. But if you’re looking for something a little more indie, we might suggest Sundance winner Meet Me in the Bathroom and 1977’s That Obscure Object of Desire. On the 1st, catch a rerun of A24’s bizarre Under the Silver Lake. And if you want something lighter, the 1997 Austin Powers movie is playing just three days later.
So grab some popcorn, settle into your seat and escape the February chill with a little Brain Dead magic. We promise the studio is unforgettable.